New product launches boosts Colgate volume growth in Q3

Colgate-Palmolive announced that during the third quarter, new product launches in the United States contributed to volume growth across categories and market share gains were seen in categories such as manual toothbrushes, powered toothbrushes, mouthwash and body washes.

In toothpaste, the success of Colgate Optic White and Colgate Optic White Dual Action toothpastes helped drive market share for the Colgate Optic White brand to 5.5% year to date, up 0.6 share points versus year ago. The company also noted that strong sales of Colgate Total, Colgate Max Fresh Cool Scrub, Colgate Sensitive SmartFoam and Whitening and Tom’s of Maine toothpastes also contributed to volume growth during the quarter.

In manual toothbrushes, strong sales of Colgate 360 Optic White, Colgate 360 Total Advanced Floss Tip Bristles and Colgate Extra Clean manual toothbrushes helped drive market share in that category to a record 38.4% year to date. The company plans to build on this growth momentum with the recent U.S. launch of the new Colgate Slim Soft manual toothbrush, which will have advertising support beginning in the fourth quarter.

During the quarter, worldwide net sales were $4.4 billion, up 1.5% compared with the year-ago. Organic sales grew 6%.

Net income and diluted earnings per share were $656 million and 70 cents, respectively. This compares with net income and diluted earnings per share in the year-ago period of $654 million and 68 cents, respectively.

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